Speaking for the first time since 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Colin Kaepernick's "hot hand" would start at quarterback Sunday at St. Louis, the demoted Smith appeared agitated over once again losing a job that's repeatedly been swiped from his grasp since he was drafted first overall in 2005.

"I feel the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion," said Smith, who sustained that brain trauma Nov. 11 during the second quarter of a 24-24 tie with the Rams.

Smith did not, however, blast Harbaugh's communication methods.

"We sat down and talked. It wasn't a one-sentence thing," Smith said. "He explained where he was coming from, felt it was a difficult situation but wanted to go in this direction."

Did Smith try to talk Harbaugh out of starting Kaepernick for a third straight game?

"No, I mean at this point, what's talk going to do?" Smith responded. "I felt he made up his mind. He's not a guy who didn't put thought into it already."

In his last full outing, Smith completed 18 of 19 passes in a 24-3 win at Arizona, earning him a first-career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Dating back to halftime of an Oct. 18 win over Seattle, Smith is 35 of 38 for 385 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

"It's tough. You state your case with your play, and I feel I've done that," said Smith, who leads the NFL with a 70.0 completion percentage and ranks fifth with a 104.1 passer rating.

Smith is a good, though pedestrian, NFL quarterback assisted immeasurably by a great 49er defense. SF fans have long been begging for a QB that matches their D. Kaepernick doesn’t just have a “hot hand,” he can improvise and capably run when necessary, two qualities Smith lacks. Having watched him closely since his Nevada days, it’s obvious Kaepernick is the real deal.

Funny, that's pretty much how I've felt about Alex Smith's ability to QB since the 2005 season. Harbaugh and Greg Roman have let Smith dog-paddle in an offense which has hidden his many weaknesses for a year and a half while a great defense, running game and special teams have won games for the 49ers. This has actually deluded some into thinking he's a decent QB. He should be grateful and find out if some NFL GM out there is willing to give him a shot next year - though no GMs were fooled after least season, when he was a free agent.

In all honesty, the Cardinals already have at least one QB better than Smith (Kolb). Smith in the Cards offense will have you missing John Skelton. But if the Cards front office wants to give up draft picks for Alex Smith, by all means...

Funny you should mention Kurt Warner, who got HIS starting job after Rodney Harrison maimed Trent Green in a preseason game. Green lost his job 'cause Warner had a great season and won the Super Bowl. He stuck around for a year as backup, showing he could run the Greatest Show on Turf when Warner got injured the following season, before starting for the rst of his career in KC.

Go back a couple decades plus, and Pat Haden was injured pitching a shutout (24-0) against the Seahawks in what would become one of the greatest defensive shutdowns of ALL TIME. (Seahawk total yardage, -8 yards). Vince Ferragamo went in, and led the Rams to their first Super Bowl, putting in a creditable performance. Haden never regained his status.

Signed, Rams fan still missing Kurt Warner ... and London Fletcher

21
posted on 11/30/2012 11:08:44 AM PST
by Dr. Sivana
(There is no salvation in politics.)

In his last full outing, Smith completed 18 of 19 passes in a 24-3 win at Arizona, earning him a first-career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award.

What the hell more is the guy supposed to do? Frankly I do feel bad for Alex. He just can't seem to catch a break. For the fisrt few years of his career he was put back into the the game while still injured, never had the same offensive coordinator two years in a row, and played for some awful coaches. So he finally gets some good management, takes the team to the NFC Championship game last year, has them 6-2 this year and loses his starting job due to getting a concussion? I don't think it's whining to say that sucks, because it does.

26
posted on 11/30/2012 11:15:11 AM PST
by Hugin
("Most times a man'll tell you his bad intentions, if you listen and let yourself hear."---Open Range)

I have no problem with a guy losing his spot due to injury. This is a meritocracy. The better man plays. The issue is that if guys think they'll lose their spot if they 'only' have a concussion, they will be less likely to report the symptoms.

Bottom line: Smith will not be in SF next season. He'll be starting for another team. And he'll be fine. Unless his O-line sucks.

29
posted on 11/30/2012 11:19:23 AM PST
by thefactor
(yes, as a matter of fact, i DID only read the excerpt)

Harbaugh is going to screw himself up big time going with Kapernick....The kid has talent, but is inexperienced and will make some critical mistakes in the playoffs...not that Alex Smith won’t, but Harbaugh is being very arrogant and short sighted turning this thing over to Kaperinick....and yes...Capt Comeback is even a bigger jerk as a coach than he was as a player...that’s saying a lot...

The headline is rather misleading. The reporter asked him how he felt about not starting, and his reply was, “it sucks,” and that he’d rather play. Smith also went on to say he’s in favor of whatever helps the team win.

Smith isn’t being a prick about this... he’s handing this situation rather well. While it is a difficult situation, it just so happened that the Niners have a guy out there.. Kaepernick.. who brings a more aggressive game plan.

Smith has rolled up what — for him — have been great statistics. But the key is what happens when you’re placed against a team that brings heat. It wasn’t Kaepernick who QB’d the Niners to a 26-3 loss to the Giants or to that earler loss to the Vikes. Smith is a decent quarterback with moderate-to-good pro-level abilities and middling arm strength and scrambling ability. Harbaugh has done an incredible job rehabilitating him and bringing him up to the level he is. But the unfortunate circumstance of Smith’s concussion opened up an opportunity to see what else is out there. And Harbaugh sees Kaepernick as the guy with the ability to take it further.

This situation would’ve been so much easier had Smith’s stats been in the doldrums like past years, but... it’s the pros... and sometimes circumstances do indeed suck.

35
posted on 11/30/2012 11:30:44 AM PST
by ScottinVA
(I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)

I don’t see any bad guys in this scenario at all, it’s just the way things turned out. What’s Smith supposed to say, “Oh, it’s cool getting benched cuz I get paid anyway”. He didn’t rag on Harbaguh (whining) he just said it sucks, which I would expect any competitor to say. Harbaugh is doing what he thinks is best for the team. When Harbaugh was playing here in Indianapolis he was always a class act. Football is a business and life isn’t always fair. I wouldn’t be suprised to see Smith starting at Qb for a different team next year, so just like Brees, he’ll probably get a second chance to win the big one with another team.

Stats only tell a part of the story. Smith was playing good this season, but he has limited awareness in the pocket, and checks down to safe receivers too often. When a play breaks down, Smith gets tackled or throws the ball away. Kap scrambles and makes a play.

It’s a ballsy move by Harbaugh. He’s going to look stupid if the league gets Kap figured out. In some ways it’s similar to when Montana replace Steve Deberg as the 9ers starting QB. The difference is that Walsh made the move with a losing team. This years 9ers are well on their way to the playoffs.

I do feel bad for Smith. He’s a good kid and a pretty good QB. Then again Wally Pip was probably a good guy, too. Hopefully, Smith can go to a team that needs a starter.

44
posted on 11/30/2012 11:38:30 AM PST
by stop_fascism
(Love your country, but never trust its government - R.A. Heinlein)

Smith is a good, though pedestrian, NFL quarterback assisted immeasurably by a great 49er defense.

Exactly... and nobody gave Smith a better shot at self-actualizing than Harbaugh. Because of the work the Niners' coaching staff put into that reclamation effort, Smith will be able to land a starting job and a nice salary with a team who needs him. Absolutely, he will be starting next year.

46
posted on 11/30/2012 11:41:59 AM PST
by ScottinVA
(I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)

I would gladly take Smith on my team. Finding a league-tested quarterback can be very difficult. Just ask many of the current losing teams. If I was the Eagles GM I’d be on that phone in a heartbeat. And the Jets, Holy Crap! Don’t criticize him for making money. They ALL make money. And you guys pay for it. Man, you guys are so hyper-critical it’s bizarre. It’s sports. Sports is entertainment. Jeeze, mellow out and try to enjoy it. You guys are way too serious!

48
posted on 11/30/2012 11:46:31 AM PST
by Doc Savage
("I've shot people I like a lot more,...for a lot less!" Raylan Givins)

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